Jan Visits Hashima Island - Gunkanjima

Jan Visits Hashima Island - Gunkanjima - Battleship Island


However, after the closing of the coal mine in 1974, the island was completely abandoned, and today the island is uninhabited and travel there is not permitted.	According to our boat guide, efforts are being made to have the island included as a World Heritage Site, and it is certainly to be hoped that the island will be opened for tourism in a controlled manner.

It is possible to sneak in though, as we saw a couple of people that had managed to enter after going to the island by canoes.	Even when seeing the island from offshore, it is easy to understand why the island is being referred to as Ghost Island, and it certainly is not a place I would like to spend an evening or night by myself.

I used "The Rough Guide" Japan while in Nagasaki, but could not find Gunkanjima featured at all.	My old Lonely Planet, admittedly an old version from 2000, bears no mention of the island either. It is all very odd. I have sent an email to "The Rough Guide" to see if they will consider including it in their next edition.